The New Superman Cape Bears a Spanish Mark

Superman doesn't need his cape to fly, yet it remains a fundamental part of his superhero identity. Few cinematic elements are as iconic and easily recognizable. Now, in its latest big-screen version, it carries a Spanish mark. The legendary Barcelona-based house Gratacós provided 80 meters of its star fabric for the creation of the popular piece in the film directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet.

Designed in Barcelona and woven at Lake Como, Italy, the cape was crafted to meet the creative and technical challenges of the piece: resistance, fluidity, durability, and visual impact on screen. The fabric is a crêpe known as Ebro, Gratacós' best-seller. Last year alone, 400,000 meters were sold in black, which, along with white, is the most requested color, details Aída Molano, sales assistant and public relations of the Catalan company, to this newspaper.

For Superman's cape, the film's costume designers purchased 80 meters in ruby color. "I don't know exactly how many capes they made, but in these shoots, with doubles, burns, and wear, several are needed," explains Molano, highlighting that the Ebro crêpe is unique for its drape and can be purchased online for 42 euros per meter.

This fabric is highly sought after for audiovisual projects, operas, or theater, although the Barcelona company primarily works with brands to create women's clothing, especially party wear. Chanel, Balmain, Valentino, Christian Siriano, and Carolina Herrera, a very good client, are some of the major brands that use Gratacós fabrics for their collections. "The major fashion houses have all passed through here at some point," comments Molano. It is no surprise that their fabrics have been worn by Michelle Obama, Kate Middleton, Rosalía, or Queen Letizia, who, according to Aída, "has worn many more meters of Ebro than Superman."

The Catalan company was founded in 1940 by Antonio Gratacós and Josefina Ortiz de la Orden, grandparents of the current directors, Juan and Antonio Gratacós. Originally conceived as a fabric store located on the prestigious Passeig de Gràcia, where their spectacular window displays, sometimes designed by Teresa Helbig, drew attention, they have evolved into fabric creators in a sort of textile laboratory, where they also offer training, on Riera de Sant Miquel. From there, they reach 80 countries with the help of their showrooms in Madrid and New York, which is why they are no strangers to Hollywood, neither in productions nor on red carpets. One of the latest was Whoopi Goldberg at this year's Oscars.

National Fashion Award 2015, in the Textile Industry category, Gratacós has also had a small role in the latest season of Bridgerton and is quite likely to continue being present in the next one with some of the exclusive fabrics from their two annual collections.

Spanish brands such as Yolancris, Santos Costura, Álvaro Calafat, or Anael Yaos also have the Spanish company as a supplier, which has become an international reference in high-end fabrics. "Spain remains one of our main markets," says Molano, "because, in the end, the family is from here, the company is from here. So, anyone with a small brand, a boutique doing couture, ends up buying little or much from Gratacós."